Ms. Comfort Emmanson
By Anietie Akpan
A civil society organization, “Open Society on Justice Reform Project”, has condemned the indecent treatment meted on an Ibom Air passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson saying it is a breach on her fundamental rights.
The group argued that the withdrawal of the criminal complaint does erase breach of Ms. Emmanson’s fundamental rights.
Emmanson was involved in an incident aboard an Ibom Air flight on Sunday, August 10, 2025, which led to her arrest and detention and later released at the insistence of the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo SAN.
But the Open Society on Justice Reform Project, in statement on August 13, by Sam Akpologun reads:
“We have noted the public statement by the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo SAN by which he announced the withdrawal of the criminal complaint against Ms. Comfort Emmanson while also hinting on her imminent release from unlawful custody, and the lifting of the lifetime ban previously imposed by the Airline Operators of Nigeria.
While these steps are welcome, they do not address — and certainly do not remedy — the gross breaches of her constitutionally guaranteed rights under Chapter IV of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
1. Right to Dignity of the Human Person (Section 34)
Even condemned criminals are still entitled to their fundamental rights, and for that matter, their rights to dignity. Ibom Air, through its flight attendant, and multiple airline and security staff unlawfully detained, publicly humiliated and manhandled Ms. Emmanson. They then proceeded to have her nude images circulated in the media and online. This was in clear violation of the absolute prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment.
The incident videos and eyewitness accounts now widely available show that she was not initially violent. In fact, it is now evident that the provocation came from a flight attendant who removed her wig, seized and smashed her phone, and physically blocked her from disembarking after the flight — a journey that had been completed without incident prior to that moment.
Ibom Air hostess (left) and Ms. Comfort Emmanson.
2. Right to Freedom of Movement (Section 41)
The fact that Ms Emmanson sought to leave after the flight had landed — and was prevented from doing so — raises a serious constitutional question. Blocking a passenger’s path and physically confining her on an aircraft without lawful authority constitutes unlawful restraint which a citizen may take reasonable steps to free herself. These unlawful arrest deserves to be redressed
3. Right to Fair Hearing (Section 36)
Ms Emmanson was judged, condemned, and publicly vilified in the media based solely on the airline’s narrative. Before imposing the most severe penalty in the industry (a lifetime ban) Ibom Air did not give Ms. Emmanson the opportunity to be heard. This breach of the audi alteram partem rule is not cured by a later lifting of the ban.
On the Minister’s Statement
While the Minister admits “clear wrongs were committed by both offending passengers and staff of the airlines involved,” his statement remains silent on the disciplinary consequences for the crew member whose aggression and unlawful acts precipitated this incident. The Constitution demands not only that offenders be punished but that rights violators in positions of authority be held accountable.
The withdrawal of criminal charges and the lifting of the ban are acts of clemency; they are not justice. Justice requires acknowledgement of wrongdoing, restitution, and deterrence”.
Accordingly, the group called for: “Public acknowledgement by Ibom Air and the Ministry of Aviation of the breach of Ms. Emmanson’s rights.
“Disciplinary action against the air hostess who unlawfully seized and damaged her phone, removed her hairpiece, and blocked her exit.
“Payment of adequate compensation to Ms. Emmanson for: unlawful detention, degrading treatment, reputational damage from the release of her nude images.
“Formal review of airline disciplinary processes to ensure compliance with constitutional guarantees”.
The group submitted that, “the Constitution is not suspended at the airport gate or on board an aircraft. The Civil Aviation Act and related regulations do not grant any airline or crew member the licence to humiliate, detain, or punish passengers without due process.
“The Nigerian public must be assured that safety in the skies will never be pursued at the expense of the dignity, liberty, and fairness owed to every citizen”.
